CFP: Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, and Performance (no deadline; PSFG, 7/27/05-7/28/05)

The Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, and Performance working group of the
Performance Studies Focus Groups invites interested participants to join us
at our second annual meeting to be held on Wednesday 27 July and the morning
of 28 July at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco. This is part
of the annual Performance Studies Focus Group (PSFG) of ATHE's 3rd annual
Preconference, "Conceptions of the (American) 'West': Response/Ability."

For details on the entire preconference and registration information, please
check out the website at http://www.athe.org/FG/ps

The music as Performance working Group meeting is coordinated by
Rhonda Blair.

Over the last two decades there have been significant developments in
neuroscience and cognitive science that are requiring us to redefine our
sense of the interrelationship among biology, culture, and consciousness;
this in turn requires us to reframe our understanding of performance. This
group will consider both the possible benefits and pitfalls in using the
science to advance our work in performance studies. The gathering this year
will continue to consider questions such as the following to provide a
framework:

- What do neuroscience and cognitive science have to offer performance
studies?
- What are the dangers or limitations?
- How does taking into account that brain structure and function are
materially related to the nature of consciousness and experience affect our
understanding of the relationship among body, mind, and feeling in the
participants in a performance event (performers and spectators)?
- What might this mean in regard to our understanding of intersections of
artistic/cultural practice, theory, and science?

In considering how brain structure and function are materially related to
the nature of consciousness and self, we can move toward a more concrete
sense of how the artist, spectator, and theorist work, and how this might
affect our sense of what theatre and performance are. The focus is the
neurocognitive ground of memory, feeling, imagery, representation, and self
as a way of reengaging the process of performance. I will assign some
readings to provide a common starting point for our discussion, and ask that
participants provide in advance of the preconference a brief statement of
interest, since there are myriad ways of engaging this material.

For questions about the Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, and Performance
Working group, contact Rhonda Blair at rblair_at_smu.edu.

For general preconference questions, please contact Joshua Abrams and
Jennifer Parker-Starbuck at ps_at_athe.org or visit the website at
http://www.athe.org/FG/ps.

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Received on Sun May 08 2005 - 08:43:42 EDT